Selective control apparatus



June 3, 1952 J. J. ALLES 2,598,748

SELECTIVE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1950 2 Si-IEETS-SHEET l I66 6 A R m 194 34 96 )aa INVENTOR JOHN J. ALLES BY i g qgmavs June 3, 1952 J. J. ALLES 2,598,748

SELECTIVE CONTROL APPARATUS Filed March 25, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ZZI Z53 INVENTOR 252 Z5I/ /255 JOHN J. ALLES Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED PATENT orrics 2,593,748 sELEoTivE amines APPARATUS John J; Elias, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Application Macs-25, ies msenal'nc; 151,885 racial-ins. "(or 17 1 337) ihis invention relates to selective control apparatus and, while not limited thereto, is herein illustrated and described in connection with a street traific signaling system, wherein green, amber and red signals are operated through repeated cycles.

In order to maintain a smooth flow of traffic on long streets or boulevards, it is not uncommon for the traffic lights at successive intersections to be so timed that, traveling at some given speed, the trail'ic can move from oheend' of the street to the other without encountering a rec. light. As is well understood, a timing pattern 1 for such an arrangementis equally ffe'ctiv'e'for trariic moving in both directions' lon' the street in question, only if all of the" distances between successive trafficlights arefeoual. ideal spacing is the exception rather than the rule; I and, accordingly, the common fne'edf isfl for a timing pattern to permit uhinterrupted ilow' in the direction appropriate for the niorn iii'gffrush hours and in the opposite direction in the evening rush hours when the major flow is reversed. i

In order to meet this need; the practice has developed of installing What ari'ioi'i to diijpfli cate controllers, difieiently timed and of using one controller in the morning hours ahdjthe i. other in the eveningho'urs'. n nety instances, still another controller is utilised for ac ating the time iig'htsthrdiif iiout some i I vening period when theorems pattern is still different. 1 I I I,

In its herein illnstrateid application routine controllers, the primary object or the l fi invention is a control apparatus which, without the aforesaid duplication, can serve toaotivate any one of several timing patterns, each'of which may itself be adjusted independently of the others. h

For p rposes of illustratio the nventiqai shown applied to trafiicgsignal control apparatus of the kind illustrated-in my;,prior patent, No. 2,324,051, dated. July 13,- 1943. I

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and'consti'uctionshereinafter set forth andclaimed'; and'as exemplified in the accompanying drawings; in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram'showing both the wiring and mechanical components of a three unit controller embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a partially-sectioned,'sideelevational view of a controller, oorres'pondi'ngto Figl'5" of my said prior patent but incorporating the present invention;

Fig. 3is a front elevation of the timer dise'of the controller of'Fig'. 2;- and 2 V Fig. 41 a sthemn cshe ing of a modification. The controller of thesaid prior patent is made up of a nnmberor identical j nits ach unit serving to illuminate successively a; set of green, amber and red signals, In other words, oneunit serves to control the flow of trafiic on one street, so that .at the common crossing or two street intersection, the controller incorporates two units: and at a three-street intersection, the controller incorporates three units. Each unit incorporates what for convenience will be termed afsign'al control shaft, adapted to be rotatedior- Wardly from a stop position to a limit position, to effect successive energization of the signal light circuits} The shaft then returns or rotates back vvardly to its initial step positionpreparatory to repeating the cycle; Regardless of the number of units, each one is started on its forward movement in response to the completion of the cycle of one of the other units in the itr il I'n the arrangement, diagrammatically illustratedin Fig. l of the drawings,' provision is made for controlling the lights at a three-street intersection, the three units being designed A, B" and C'. Thegreen amber and redlights controlled by tAare "signated It, ll arid l2; thosejcon't ll'ed y unite as; is, I4 and it; and those cntrollec byjgnijt oajs 16, l'l and' it; For

con

signal lights in; n and 12 are connects were common side 20 of the supply through a wire 21 and signals" I 3, I4 and, ,l 5 are connected to the side: zojthrou gh wir'e' 2;; the signals l6, IT and I28 through wire 23; Tlie gr'eensigrialJll'is ce nected to contact 2lthrougliltvifeZS'Qaridfthe alnher liig -ht 1 tea Contact 26" through wire 21. Inlilge mannenthegren anaaniber signals l3,

7 are connected to contacts 28, 29 respectively through wires 3 0, 31, and the g're'nand ainber Jights l6, I! to contacts 32 33, through wires A movable contact 36 is arranged to be moved into", and out of engagement with the contacts 24, 26', and. is cpnnected to a stationary con-tact to throu h w .Theconh tsZ-B. .2-9' ar controlled by movable contact 53 connected ,to stationar'ycontactfl through wire 4-4; and the contacts 32, 33 are energized by moving contact iiconn'ected to contact 46 through Wire 41.

Contact 40 is'energized" by the arinatur'eor nidvab'le contact 50 connected to' the hot side. 5| otth'e's'upply throughiwire 512., The armature 50"isundef thecontrol ofa relay coil" 53.- The contact 43 of unit B is energized by armature 54 connected to wire 5| through wire 55, the armature being under the control of relay coil 55, and the contact 45 of unit C is energized by armature 58 connected to wire 5i through wire 59, this armature being controlled by relay 50.

The contacts 36, 42, 45 are actuated into and out of engagement with their associated stationary contacts by cams 62, 63, 64. These cams are mounted upon and rotate with control shafts 65, 31 and 58, respectively, these shafts being rotated by motors 69, 10, 'II through reduction gearing arranged in the respective gear housings "i2, i3, 14. The motors 69, I0, II are connected to the gearing in housings I2, 13 and 14 through their shafts I5, 16 and ll, respectively. The cams 52, 63 and 64 may be insulated from their shafts 65, 61, 68, by being mounted upon discs I3 of insulating material.

A helical spring 90 is secured at its inner end to shaft 66, as at 9|, and at its outer end to a fixed point 92. The arrangement is such that when the shaft 56 is rotated to move the cam 62 through its arc of rotation, the spring is wound up. That is, the rotation of the shaft 33 is against the tension of the spring and, accordingly, the spring 90 yieldingly urges the shaft 66 and the associated cam 62 back to its initial position. Similarly, a spring 03 is associated with shaft 61 and a spring with shaft 68.

The cam 62 in unit A is in its initial or starting position with movable contact 36 in engagement with contact 24. However, the green signal I0 is not illuminated due to the fact that relay 53 is de-energized and its armature 53 is out of engagement with contact 40 and is dropped into engagement with stationary contact I00 which is connected to the red lamp I2 through wire IOI. Accordingly, the red light is energized on street A.

Cam 63 of unit B has traveled through its arc of movement and has come to rest with the highest part of the lobe I03 of the cam in engagement with the movable contact 42 and 32 to contact 33, effecting a shift from the green signal It to the amber signal I! of unit C.

The gear housings 12, l3, 14 are each provided with radially extending projections I20, and the respective units are provided with detents I21, I22 and I23 normally engaging the projections I and being withdrawn from engagement therewith by the respective solenoid coils I25, I23 and I2 1. One side of the coil I2? is connected to the wire H2. Similarly, the coil I23 is connected to the wire I23 and the coil I25 to the has thus moved contact 42 into engagement with contact 29. However, the amber light I4 is not illuminated due to the fact that relay 56 is also de-energized, thus breaking the feed circuit to contact 43. The red light I5 is, however, energized through wire 55, armature 54, contact I05 and wire I06.

Cam 64 in unit C has traveled through a portion of its arc of movement and is so positioned that the low part of the cam lobe I0! is in engagement with the contact 45 and has moved the same into engagement with contact 33. Inasmuch as the relay in unit 0 is now energized, a hot feed is provided to the amber light through wire 59, armature 53, contact 46, Wire 41, contacts 45, 33, and wire 35. Relay .60 in unit C is energized through wire 55, armature 54, wire I05, wire I08, movable contact I09, stationary contact H0, wire III, wire H2, to the common side '20. Wire III is also connected to coil H3 of motor II through wire II4, the opposite side of the coil being connected to Wire II2 to the common return 20. Accordingly, the motor H is energized and is operating to effect rotation of cam 64.

From the above description, it is apparent that motors 69, 10 of units A and B are de-energized and their red lights I2, I5 are displayed. Motor II of unit 0 is energized, cam lobe I0lhaving just shifted the movable contact 45 from contact wire I29. The opposite side of coil I25 is connected through wire I30 to the feed wire 35 for the amber lamp I! on street C. The other side of the coil I25 is connected through wire l3I to the feed wire 21 of the amber lamp II for street A, and the opposite side of coil I21 is connected through wire I34 to the feed wire 3| for amber lamp I4 on street B.

Accordingly, inasmuch as amber lamp H on street C is illustrated as energized, the coil I25 is likewise energized, moving the detent I2I out of engagement with the projections I25 on gear housing 12. The reduction gearing in the housings I2, '13, 14 is of the planetary type and functions when the housings are held against rotation to effect rotation of the cam shafts by the respective motors. Due to the relatively great reduction in the gearing arranged in each of the housings 72, I3, 14, the housings are in practical effect, insofar as retrograde movement is concerned, coupled to the respective shafts 05, 61, 58. Accordingly, when the shafts 6E, 51, 58 have been rotated through their cycle or are of movement by their respective motors against the tension of the springs 00, 93, 96, and thereupon the detents I21, I22 and I23 are withdrawn from the projections I20, the housings 12, I3, 14 and their associated shafts 66, 61, 60 are rotated backwards by the springs 90, 93, 95.

According to the present invention, means are provided for remotely varying the limit of backward movement of the shafts 66, 61, 68 or, in other words, for establishing diiferent starting positions for each shaft and cam. By such means, as will be understood, the durations of the green signals are increased or decreased. In general, such means comprises a plurality of stop means, providing as many different starting positions as there are timing patterns to be provided for. That is to say, two starting positions for two patterns (such as morning and evening) or three starting positions if an intermediate pattern is also required. These stop means are described in detail below.

Reverting now to the description of the general operation of the system, it will be noted that with the illumination of the amber lamp I! on street C, cam unit A is returned to its initial position, as indicated in the diagram.

The moving contacts 36, 42, 45 are so arranged, or the co-acting stationary contacts 26, 29, 33 are so arranged as to permit a slight overmovement. That is, when the low portion of the lobe I07 on cam 64 engages the contact 45, it moves the same into engagement with contact 33, and then eifects further movement of contact 45, causing the insulating member I29 to engage adjusting screw I40, moving contact I09 out of engagement with contact I I0, thereby breaking the feed circuit to relay 60 and motor coil H3. Accordingly, cam unit C stops in this position, retrograde movement by spring 96 being prevented because of the fact that detent I23 is in engagement with the projections I20 on gear housing 19. De-energization of relay 69 effects display of the red signal I8 on street C through movable contact 99, stationary contact I42, wire I43.

Units A and B are provided with movable contacts me, I d5 respectively, which contacts are comparable to contact I99 of unit C. Each of the movable contacts IM, M5 is also provided with adjusting screws I4. It will be apparent that when contacts I99, I44, I45 are moved out of engagement with their respective stationary contacts, the associated amber light is extinguished. Accordingly, the time within which the movable contacts are actuated determines the duration of the amber. Hence, the duration of the amber is adjustable by adjusting the screws I49.

As previously explained, when the amber lamp E1 on street C is energized, solenoid coil I25 of unit A is also energized, retracting the detent I2I from engagement with the housing 12, thus permitting cam 92 to return to its initial position, as shown. Subsequently, when the red light I9 of unit C is energized, relay 53 of unit A is energized through wire I59 which connects wire I43 to contact its which, at this time, is in engagement with contact I5 I, the latter being connected by wire I52 to the motor coil I53 of motor 99 and by branch wire I511 to the solenoid 53, the wire I29 serving as a return circuit for relay 53, coil 25 and motor coil I53.

At this juncture, with the green signal displayed by unit A and red signals by units B and C, unit A commences its signal change cycle. At the end of the period of display of the green signal and when the circuit of the amber signal is completed, coil I29 of unit B is energized and detent I22 drawn out of engagement with housing 13, permitting shaft 19 to return to its initial stop position. Now when the unit A advances to its final position and moves contact I44 out of engagement with contact I'5I, relay 53 will be deenergized, permitting contact 59 to move out of engagement with contact #9, thus extinguishing the amber lamp I I and moving into engagement with contact I99 to energize the red signal I2 through wire I9I and thereupon through Wire I91, contacts Ili, I59, wire I59. The motor coil I99 of motor 19 will be energized to actuate cam 99 on its cycle and simultaneously the relay 59 will be energized through branch wire I9I, in

this instance the wire I29 serving as: a common return for both relay 59 and'motor coil I60.

This operation effects movement of contact 54 out of engagement with contact I95 and into engagernent with contact 43. This completes a circuit from the hot side of the line 5| to the green light I9 on street B through-Wire 44, movable contact 42, contact 29, wire 39, green light I3 and thence to the common side 29 through wire 22.

Unit B continues to operate through its cycle, shifting contact 42 out of engagement with contact 29 and into engagement with contact 29, thus extinguishing the green light I3 and energizing the amber light Ill and simultaneously energizing coil I21 0;" unit C, causing the detent I23 to move out of engagement with the housing 14 and permitting cam 94 to return to its initial stop position; and at the end of its travel, as illustrated in Figure I, earn 93 has moved contact I45 out of engagement with contact I59 breaking the circuit to relay 59 and effecting display of the red signal I5 as previously described.

The individual control units are thus operable through a cycle to successively display the green,

6 amber and red signals on their respective streets, and are also operable to shift or return one of the other units to its initial stop position, and upon display of the red light to initiate another one of said units on its cycle.

In the arrangement disclosed in my said prior patent, means are provided for effecting adjustment of the initial stop position of each of shafts 99, 91, I59, so that by manual manipulation of the controls of each controller, any required time pattern for the signals can be obtained.

According to the present invention, a plurality (more than one, as used herein) or set of stops is provided for each of shafts 99, 91, 68 or for as many control shafts as there may be units in the controller, the number of stops determining the number of different timing patterns from which any one pattern can be remotely selected, simultaneously, for as many units and controllers as desired.

As illustrated in the diagram, Fig. 1, three discs I99, I99, I91 are shown as adjustably secured to shaft 95, the discs having projecting ears or stop elements I99, I99, I19. Cooperating stop elements I'II, I12, I13 are also indicated. These latter are conveniently referred to as the stationary stop elements, in that they do not rotate with shaft 99. As illustrated, however, they are pivotally mounted, being normally biased to positions to avoid engagement by their corresponding stop elements I98, I69, I19, and being selectively movable into position to be so engaged by coils I'M, I15, I19, respectively.

It will thus be apparent that by adjusting the three discs I95, I69, I61 about shaft 69, their stop elements I99, I99, I10 can be so located as to provide, in cooperation with their respective stop elements I1I, I12, I13, three different stop or initial positions to which the shaft 69 will be returned under the influence of its spring 99. By thus predetermining three different starting points and hence three durations for the green signal, any one of three timing patterns can be activated by merely energizing one of the coils I14, I15, I19. The stop elements I1I, I12, I13. are designed to yield if and when engaged by elements I99, I99, I19 during forward movement of shaft 99, so that they serve only to arrest or limit the backward movement of the shaft. To that end, stops I1I, I12, I13 may be formed of flexible material.

In the diagram, Fig. 1, three similar coils I11, I19, I19 and I99, I8I, I92 are shown in identical arrangement for units B and C, respectively, which coils are similarly energizable to activate the selected time pattern for such units, just as already described with respect to unit A. In the B and C units, the corresponding discs are marked I93, I94, I95 and I99, I91 and I99; the ears I89, I99, I9I and I92, I93, I94; and the stationary stops I95, I99, I91 and I98, I99, 299.

As also illustrated, one side of each of coils I'I I11, I9 is connectedto the line 20 through a switch 29I; coils I15, I19, I8I are all connected to line 29 through switch 292; and-coils I19, I19, I92 are all connected to line 29 through switch 293. The other sides of the: coils are connected to the other line 5|, as indicated or as' may be convenient. Thus, by means of the switches 20I, 292, 293, which can be located at any ole-- sired remote control center, all the units of the illustrated three-unit controller can becaused to operate in accordance with any one of the three timing patterns predetermined by the settings of the discs on the respective shafts.

And the same pattern-selecting switches can, of course, be connected to control the stop coils of as many different controllers as may be desired, as indicated by the dash line extensions of wires 204, 205, 206.

While the described controller and selective control apparatus can be embodied in many forms, the construction of the controller itself can be assumed to be essentially the same as that illustrated in my said prior patent, excepting only as respects the means for determining the initial stop positions of the control shafts and the means for adjusting the stops to vary the time settings of the green signals, which means are illustrated herein and are described below in detail in one preferred embodiment. For the reason noted, the mechanical components of the controller, which are the same as in my prior patent, will not be described in detail herein. For present purposes it is sufficient to note (with particular reference to Fig. 2) that the single unit illustrated includes a mounting plate 201 and face plate 208 united by spacers 209. An adjusting knob 2I0 movable over a second scale on the face plate 208 corresponds to the adjusting screw I40 of the Fig. 1 diagram. Shafts 2II, 2I2 correspond to diagram shafts 66, motor 2I3 to diagram motor 69; gear reduction housing 2I4 to the diagram housing 12; detent 2I5 to diagram detent I2I; coil 2I6 to diagram coil I; cam 2I1 to diagram cam 62. 1

Coming now to the selective control and adjustment means of the present invention: Shaft 2 is shown extended through a large aperture 2I9 in face plate 208 and on a hub portion 220 of the shaft at its forward end is mounted a disc generally designated 22I. This disc is composed of a series of annular elements (corresponding to the discs I65, etc. of the Fig. 1 diagram) one for each timing pattern. In this instance, three such elements are shown, marked 222, 223, 224. The perimeter of the shaft hub and the mating edges of the several annular elements are formed with complementary steps (as indicated, for example, at 225) and the elements are normally locked to the shaft hub and to each other, as by the overlapping heads of screws 226, 221, 228. Projecting from the rear face of each annular element is a stud (which corresponds to the ears or stop elements I68, etc. of the Fig. 1 diagram), the stud 229 of element 224 appearing in Fig. 2.

On the front face of mounting plate 201 are three circumferentially spaced coils 230, 23 I, 232, corresponding to diagram coils I11, etc., and similarly controlling pivotally mounted stationary stop elements 233, 234, 235 so positioned that when any one of the coils is energized its stop element is moved into the path of the corresponding one of the annular element stops. Springs (such as indicated at 236 in Fig. 2) serve to bias the stationary stop elements to their inactive positions.

Suitably located on the front of the unit is an indicator, such as index 231 on the shaft hub; and, as shown in Fig. 3, the peripheral portions of the several annular elements of disc 22I are calibrated. It being assumed that the speed of shaft 2II is such that it would make one complete revolution in a minute, the annular element calibrations are appropriate subdivisions, in seconds.

The ease with which the stops can be set to provide three different durations for the green signal will be apparent. By loosening screws 226 and rotating the disc element bodily, the desired time figure on the innermost annular element 222 is brought opposite index 231 and the screws re-tightened. Upon loosening screws 221, the remaining annular element can be rotated about element 222 and the desired time figure on element 223 brought opposite index 231. After screws 221 have been re-tightened, the holding screws 228 of the outer element are loosened and that element similarly adjusted to its desired setting.

Thereafter, as described in connection with the Fig. 1 diagram, any one of the three stops can be activated by the energizing of its coil and the corresponding time pattern thereby initiated.

As will be apparent, the described system is such that the change from one time pattern to another does not involve any sudden switching of the signal lights themselves and it is quite unnecessary to provide any such coordinating means as are ordinarily required in other systems commonly in use.

In the system exemplified in the Fig. l diagram, all three of the available time patterns are shown as being subject to remote control by means of switches 20L 262, 233; but one of the control switches may be eliminated and provision made whereby the de-energization of two of the time pattern circuits automatically makes the third pattern effective.

Such an arrangement is illustrated schematically in Fig. 4, in which the three pivoted stop elements 240, 24I, 242 correspond to the stop elements Ill, I12, I13 of unit A of the Fig. 1 diagram. It is contemplated, of course, that stops similar to 240, 24I, 242 would likewise be provided for each of the other units of the controller but since their action is identical, only one set need be described.

In the Fig. 4 arrangement, even though the stop elements provide for three time patterns, only two remote control switches 243, 244 are provided and shown as controlling, respectively, the energization of solenoid coils 245, 246 from mains 241, 248. As in the arrangement previously described, the closure of switch 243 or 244 renders effective stop element 240 or 242 (and their counterparts in as many other units and controllers as are in the system).

Whereas stop elements 240 and 242 are biased to their inactive or ineffective positions, stop element 24 I, on the other hand, is biased to its active or effective position, as by spring 249, but is moved to and held in its inactive position whenever one or the other of coils 245, 246 is energized. When neither of these coils is energized, stop element 24! is moved to its active position by its spring 249. For simplicity of illustration, these func tions are schematically shown as being served by stops 250, 25I projecting laterally from the armatures 252, 253 of coils 245, 246 and positioned (when either coil is energized) to block the upward movement of a cross bar 254 which is connected by link 255 to stop element 24I. As will be apparent, when coils 245 and 246 are both de-energized, stop 250 will be moved up to its dotted line position and stop 25I to its full line position, thereby permitting cross bar 254 to move up and stop element 24I to take up its active (dotted line) position. Subsequent energization of either coil 245 or coil 246 will, through the laterally projecting stop on its armature,

9 move cross bar down and de-activate stop element 2 If the system should be designed to provide only two time patterns then, of course, one of the coils, stop elements and control switches could be dispensed with. For example, in a two pattern system, switch 24:1, coil 246 and stop element 242 could be dispensed with, stop element 258 being rendered ef ective by the closure of switch 253 and stop element 25! being rendered efiective upon the opening of switch 2 53.

In the light of the foregoing illustrative description, the following is claimed:

1. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be de-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a motor having connections for driving the shaft in its forward movement; a spring having connections for driving the shaft in its backward movement; a plurality of stop means for limiting the backward, spring driven movement only of the shaft, said means being located at cir cumferentially spaced points with respect to the shaft axis; and means for selectively activating said stop means.

2. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be de-energised at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a motor having connections for driving the shaf in its forward movement; a spring having connections for driving the shaft in its backward movement; a first set of stop elements; a second set of stop elements; the elements of at least one of said sets being circumferentially spaced about the shaft axis; one of said sets of stops being mounted for rotation with the shaft; and means for moving the stop elements of one set into and out of engaging position with respect to stop elements of the other set, the stop elements of one set being yieldable to permit movement of the shaft in its forward, motor driven direction.

3. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be de-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a motor having connections for driving the shaft in its forward movement; a spring having connections for driving the shaft in its backward movement; a plurality of stop means rotatable with the shaft and spaced radially with respect to the shaft axis; stationary stop means for engagement with the rotatable stop means; and. means for effecting relative movement between the rotatable and stationary stop means into and out of position to interengage upon backward rotation only of the shaft.

4. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be tie-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a motor having connections for driving the shaft in its forward movement; a spring having connections for driving the shaft in its backward movement; a plurality of stop means for limiting the backward movement of the shaft; means for adjusting said stop means circumferentially about the shaft axis; and means for selectively activating said stop means.

5. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be (lo-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a motor having connections for driving the shaft in it's forward movement; a spring having con nections for driving the shaft in its backward movement; a set of stop elements mounted to rotate with the shaft and adjustable relatively to each other about the shaft axis; a set of stationary stop elements; and means for moving stop elements of one set into and out of position to engage stop elements of the other set to limit backward movement of the shaft.

6. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be tie-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a first of stop elements; a second set of stop elements; the elements of at least one of said sets being circumferentially spaced about the shaft axis; one of said sets of stops being mounted for rotation with the shaft; and means for moving the stop elements of one set into and out of engaging position with respect to stop elements of the other set, the elements of one set being flexible and thereby adapted to yield to engagement by the elements of the other set on rotation of the shaft in a forward direction.

'7. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be (ls-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a plurality of stop means for limiting the backward movement of the shaft and arranged to yield to permit forward movement of the shaft, said means being located at circumferentially spaced points with respect to the shaft axis; and a separately energizable coil for activating each of said stop means.

8. In a selective control apparatus, the combination of a rotatable shaft; a disc unit secured to the shaft and comprising a. plurality of concentric annular elements; locking means for releasably locking adjacent elements to one another; stop means carried by each of said an nular elements; a plurality of stationary stop elements; and means for moving each of said stationary stop elements into and out of position for engagement by one of the annular element stop means.

9. In a selective control apparatus, the combination of a rotatable shaft; a disc unit secured to the shaft and comprising a plurality of concentric annular elements; locking means for releasably locking adjacent elements to one another; stop means carried by each of said annular elements; a plurality of stationary stop elements mounted adjacent the face of the disc carrying said first-mentioned stop means and circumferentially spaced with respect to the shaft axis; and means for moving each of said stationary stop elements into and out of position for engagement by one of the annular element stop means.

10. In a selective control apparatus, the combination of a rotatable shaft; a disc unit secured to the shaft and comprising a plurality of concentric annular elements; locking means for releasably locking adjacent elements to one another; stop means carried by each of said annular elements; a plurality of stationary stop elements; a coil for activating each of said stationary stop elements relatively to a corresponding stop means carried by the disc; and individual circuits for controlling the energizing of said coils.

11. In a selective control apparatus, the combination of a rotatable shaft; a disc unit secured to the shaft and comprising a plurality of concentric, annular elements having overlapping steps formed around their adjacent peripheries; means for locking each element to its adjacent element; stop means carried by each of said annular elements; a plurality of stationary stop elements; and means for moving each of said stationary stop elements into and out of position for engagement by one of the annular element stop means.

12. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be de-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a plurality of stop means for limiting the backward movement of the shaft, said means being located at circumferentially spaced points with respect to the shaft axis, and each stop means including an element movable into and out of active position; a coil energizable to move the element of one of the stop means into its said active position; and control means for the movable element of another of said stop means responsive to the de-energization of said coil.

13. In a controller unit of the kind including a control shaft adapted to be rotated forwardly from a stop position to a limit position and thence backwardly to its stop position and in which a green signal is adapted to be de-energized at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the shaft, the improvement which comprises: a plurality of stop means for limiting the backward movement of the shaft, said means being located at circumferentially spaced points with respect to the shaft axis; a coil energizable to activate at least one of said stop means; a switch for controlling said coil; and means responsive to the opening of the switch adapted to activate another of said stop means.

JOHN J. ALLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 921,060 Ballweg May 11, 1909 976,537 Barclay Mar. 22, 1910 2,053,110 Regan Sept. 1, 1936 2,324,051 Alles July 13, 1943 2,451,457 Shepherd Oct. 12, 1948 2,531,153 Pennel Nov. 21, 1950 

